WASHINGTON — An average of one Iraqi civilian every day was killed by coalition forces during 2005 in incidents at checkpoints or roadblocks or alongside convoys, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. military in Baghdad.

That high number of civilian deaths so angered commanders who arrived in Iraq at the start of the year that a three-star general ordered an internal review, resulting in new guidelines.

Thus far in 2006, the number of Iraqi civilians killed at checkpoints, roadblocks or along convoys has dropped to an average of one per week, according to the military.

The new measures, intended to lessen the chance for violent confrontations between American troops and innocent Iraqis during the daily routines, are distinct from the high-profile criminal investigations into killings of innocent Iraqis during combat operations.

They are part of an effort initiated by Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the No. 2 American officer in Iraq, to find ways to carry out the mission while minimizing actions that wound or kill innocent Iraqis and anger and alienate the population.

The actions of American troops have earned the outrage of the new Iraqi government as well. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki lashed out at what he criticized as the “regular occurrence” of violence by American troops against Iraqi civilians.

Chiarelli earlier this year described plans to delay firing warning shots by requiring signs, hand signals, strobe lights and even lasers to make sure civilian drivers approaching checkpoints can see the Americans clearly, especially at night.

Commanders across Iraq have been ordered to investigate all instances that result in the death or serious wounding of an Iraqi civilian, or that cause property damage of $10,000 or more, said Lt. Col. Michelle Martin-Hing, spokeswoman for the Multi-National Corps-Iraq. Previously, it was not required to investigate all episodes.

Martin-Hing said the initiatives included steps intended to illustrate American respect for Iraqi culture.

She said troops had been told when it was necessary to handcuff a suspect, it should be done away from family members so as not to anger those who are not detained.